Scripture Reading: 2 Samuel 24 - (1 Chronicles 21)
We know David for his great victories and songs . . . and for his great sins. One rather obscure passage about one of David’s sins is 2 Samuel 24 (repeated in 1 Chr 21). David wanted to number his army, but not for the usual reason, which was to fight a war. It seems that David simply wanted to see how many men he had for personal delight (2 Sam 24:3). What he did, displeased the Lord (1 Chr 21:7) and God severely judged the people of Israel (2 Sam 25:15-17).
One lesson we can draw from this story is that it warns us not to take pleasure in our strength or victories apart from our delight being firmly and centrally rooted in our God. We can delight in our bank accounts or in the value of our house or in the longevity of our lives or in the attendance in our church or in the number of missionaries we support . . . and find more pleasure in these things than we do in the Giver of these things. We are so programmed to evaluate everything in terms of numbers that we have the tendency to feed our delight more on our accomplishments than on the excellencies of Christ. The subtleties of pride are particularly beguiling when it comes to us in this way.
A second lesson from this story is drawn from the fact that this sin of David’s pride does not appear to be a “youthful indiscretion.” That this story is found in 2 Samuel 24 indicates that this grievous sin was committed near the end of his reign and life. To be older is no automatic safeguard against sin. We must be ever vigilant, even ruthless, to guard our hearts against pride or greed or lust or sharp tongues. “Your word I have hid in my heart, that I might not sin against You" (Psa 119:11).
